Adjustable display shelf apparatus

ABSTRACT

Adjustable display shelf apparatus including vertical support elements defining at least one external groove opening into an enlarged lengthwise undercut slot for receiving a mating portion of a projecting shelf support bracket. The projecting shelf support bracket may be formed with slots along one edge that define an edge configuration conforming to the configuration of the undercut slot thereby allowing the shelf support bracket to be adjustably supported within the undercut slot. The shelf support brackets may be infinitely adjustable relative to the vertical support elements and may be secured in any desired position relative to the support elements by friction inducing shelf bracket restraint elements.

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,848,844 Barrett 1 1 Nov. 19, 1974 [54]ggggigqg DISPLAY SHELF FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 749,531 7/1933France 248/246 [75] Inventor: Robert R. Barrett, Houston, Tex. 569,4587/1958 Belgium 2l U148 73 Assi Visual Desi ns Mf C0. l-l uston, gnee Texg g 0 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1973 57]ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 34848l Adjustable display shelf apparatus includingvertical support elements defining at least one external groove 52 [1.8.CI 248/245, 108/106, 211/134 opening into an enlarged lengthwiseundercut slot for [51] Int. Cl. A47b 47/00, A47g 29/02 receiving amating p t n of a proj ting shelf sup- [58] Field or Search 248/245,244, 243, 246, P bracket The Projecting Shelf pp bracket 248/247, 248,235; 108/106, 152, 107, 108, may be formed with slots along one edgethat define 109; 21 1 /134, 148 an edge configuration conforming to theconfiguration of the undercut slot thereby allowing the shelf support[56] R f n Cit d bracket to be adjustably supported within the under-UNITED STATES PATENTS cut slot. The shelf support brackets may beinfinitely 91058 5 1877 J h 248 4 adjustable relative to the verticalsupport elements 1 824243 9x931 1 8 l2 5 and may be secured in anydesired position relative to 2:534952 lzngso the support elements byfriction inducing shelf bracket 2,640,674 6/1953 Gerlach.....restramtelem'emst 3,35l,3l3 11/1967 Guillon..... 3,513,606 5/1970 Jones248/245 x 8 l0 Drawmg F'gures ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY SHELF APPARATUS FIELDOF THE INVENTION This invention is directed generally to display shelfapparatus, such as might be employed in commercial establishments suchas gift shops, book stores, and any other commercial establishmentshaving the necessity of displaying merchandise for purchase byconsumers. The invention also relates generally to shelves such as bookshelves and cabinetry shelves that may be employed in private residencesand the like. More specifically, the invention is directed to theprovision of shelf apparatus incorporating easily and infinitelyadjustable mechanisms, thereby providing display shelves that may bequickly and simply adjusted to suit any desirable need.

RELATED APPLICATIONS Applicant has one presently pending applicationbearing Ser. No. 80,679, filed Oct. 14, 1970 now abandoned, entitledDisplay Container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has long been necessary to providedisplay shelves in commercial establishments and in residentialdwellings for the purpose of displaying or storing merchandise ordisplaying objects such as books, figurines and many other itemssuitable for display. Regardless whether the shelves are employed forstorage or for displaying fanciful or utilitarian items, and regardlesswhether the shelves are employed in a commercial establishment or areutilized in residential dwellings, it frequently becomes desirable toadjust the shelves to render the shelving more adaptable to particulararticles or materials to be displayed or stored.

Many different types of shelf adjusting devices have been employed inthe past, but for the most part, it is typical for adjustment slots tobe provided in the shelf bracket support elements of the shelvingapparatus and for shelf brackets to be provided with projections orother connecting features that facilitate incremental positioning of theshelves. In this connection reference may be had to U.S. Pat. Nos.3,039,727 Engel et a]; 3,273,847 Berman; and 3,613,900 Chiu. In somecases infinitely adjustable shelving has also been provided, such asshown by U.S. Pat. Nos. 439,636 Buck and 3,203,375 Schroeder. A modularapproach has been contemplated in the past for adjustable shelvingapparatus, but generally the techniques employed in the past have beengenerally found deficient as far as infinite adjustability is concerned.

It is a primary object of the present application, therefore, to providenovel display or storage shelf apparatus having adjustable shelves thateffectively allow the shelves to be simply and easily adjusted in anysuitable manner.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide noveldisplay or storage shelf apparatus wherein vertical support devices maybe utilized that facilitate support of any suitable number of shelves asdesired and also facilitate positioning of shelving as high as deemedappropriate.

Another object of the present invention contemplates the provision ofnovel display or storage shelf apparatus incorporating friction lockmechanisms that facilitate simple and efficient locking of shelf supportbrackets in any desirable position relative to the vertical shelfsupports.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide novel displayor storage shelf apparatus that effectively allows provision of displayshelving of any suitable design and facilitiesa modular approach to theprovision of shelving for display purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One suitable embodiment of the presentinvention may incorporate vertical support elements that are providedwith at least one and perhaps a plurality of elongated undercut grooves,depending upon whether the vertical supports are provided to supportmore than one shelf or whether the supports are provided in such amanner as to facilitate assembly of shelving of various modular design.The vertical support elements may be extruded members, if desired.

Shelf support brackets may be provided for assembly with the verticalsupports in such manner as to support shelving elements in generallyhorizontal manner and to facilitate infinite adjustment of thehorizontal shelves. Each of the support brackets may be provided with asupporting edge configuration, generally corresponding to theconfiguration of the undercut slot, thereby allowing the support bracketto be freely movable within the elongated slots for adjustment of theposition of the shelves. For the purpose of locking the shelf bracketand the shelves in any suitable position, locking devices may beemployed to establish frictional locking engagement between the shelfbracket and the vertical support element. The locking devices mayconveniently take the form of pins received within openings defined inthe shelf bracket and having elongated cam surfaces defined on the pins,which cam surfaces engage the vertical support element to establishfrictional engagement therewith. Depending upon the weight of thearticles that are to be supported by the shelves and the manner in whichthe shelving is to be utilized, the frictional locking merchanisms mayconveniently take the form of rotary cam elements, bolt energizedfrictional elements, etc. The undercut slots of the vertical supportelements and the corresponding supporting edges of the shelf bracketsmay take any suitable undercut form within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the manner in which the aboverecited features, advantages and objects of the present invention, aswell as others, which will become apparent, are attained and can beunderstood in detail, more particular description of the invention,briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the preferredembodiments thereof illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawingsform a part of this specification.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly utilizing verticalsupport elements and shelf support brackets constructed in accordancewith the present invention and illustrating the manner in which theshelf supdisplay or storage shelf.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 andillustrating in further detail the relationship between the frictionallocking means, the vertical support element and the shelf supportbracket.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shelf bracket illustratingthe relationship of the shelf bracket and a frictional locking pin ofthe nature identified in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a vertical support andshelf support bracket, illustrating employment of a frictional lockingmeans representing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 4, illustratingfurther details of the construction of the locking element of FIG. 4 andalso showing the relationship between the locking element, the verticalsupport and the shelf support bracket.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a vertical support andshelf support bracket assembly being retained in assembly by africtional locking element comprising a further modified embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 in FIG. 6, illustratingfurther details of the construction of the locking assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a vertical support andshelf support bracket assembly ineluding a bracket locking constructionrepresenting a even further modified embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is an alternative sectional view similar to FIG.

2, showing modified support element structure and correspondinglymodified shelf support bracket edge structure. FIG. 10 is a sectionalview similar to the views of FIGS. 2 and 9, illustrating a supportelement and shelf support bracket representing an even further modifiedembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Attention is first directed to FIG.I where the full assembly is indicated by the numeral 10. The fullassem' bly is formed of various components as will be individuallydescribed and cooperation of the components with one another will be setforth showing the fabrication of a display shelf or book shelf whichwill be understood through the use of the invention. Attention is firstdirected to the upright member 11 shown in FIG. 1. The upright membermay be of generally rectangular configuration if desired although itmay'also take any other convenient external configuration. The uprightmember is shown to be provided with four parallel and perpendicular sidewalls which are preferably of the same length. The means 11 will bedescribed as the vertical support, though it need not be positioned onlyin the vertical direction, it being obvious that the vertical support 11may be positioned at any suitable angle as desired. In the customary useof the invention, it is typically vertical. The vertical support 11 maybe symmetrical about its four faces although symmetry is not necessary.Each face may duplicate the other faces in the preferred embodiment.

Reference numeral 12 identifies a groove or slot formed in one face 13of the support 11. The slot 12 port brackets are assembled in relationto the vertical support elements and areutilized to support an articlemay extend the'full length of the face 13 and may be centered betweenthe two outer edges of the surface 13, if desired, although suchpositioning is not mandatory. The slot 12 has a predetermined widthalong its length which width is not critical, but can be, by way ofexample, something in the order of one-quarter inch, or greater. Thewidth of the slot, in large part, depends on the strength of thematerial forming the bracket to be described hereinafter.

The slot 12 is immediately adjacent to a recessed and enlarged elongatedchamber indicated by the numeral 14, which chamber may be defined bythree walls comprising a part of the wall structure of the uprightmember. The chamber 14 may be coterminous with the slot 12 and is widerthan the slot 12. The face-l3 is undercut, so to speak, by the provisionof a relatively narrow slot and a wider slot or chamber 14 immediatelybeyond the slot that define a pair of opposed flanges facing shoulders15 and 16 which extend over the chamber 14 and define the slot 12.

' The construction of the vertical support member 11 may be symmetricalon all four faces although symmetry not required. Although notmandatory, it may be desirable from an esthetic point of view, and fromconvenience in manufacturing that each face of the upright support be ofsimilar configuration.

A vertical member 20 is shown in FIG. 1 that may have some degree ofsimilarity as compared to the upright element 11. The vertical member 20may have a similar from face 21 and a similar or identical groove 22 ascompared to the structure of the upright element 12 and may have a backchamber 24 adjacent to the groove and coterminous therewith. The basicdifference in the vertical member 20 as compared to vertical member 11is that it is not symmetrical on all four faces, and is abbreviated. Itis only provided with one vertical groove 22, and not one on each face.The vertical member 20 is adapted to be secured to a supportive wall orother structural member if desired. By way of contrast, the verticalmember 11 is typically available as a free standing unit which can beattractively viewed from all four sides and which is also functionallyarranged to engage a support bracket on all four sides. The members 1 1and 20 are similar except that the vertical member 11 is adapted forapplication in a free standing situation, while the member 20 can bejoined to a wall or can be combined with other structure for use as afree standing support. Both members 11 and 20, in free standingsituations, require other support legs so that a minimum of three ormore legs, or points of stability are employed with reference to thesupporting floor.

The member 20 is abbreviated in structure, and will be discussed withrespect to FIG. 2, it being kept in mind that the manner in which thesupport bracket is connected with the vertical member is the same foreither member. A description of the manner of joining the bracket to themember 20 will likewise apply to the member 11.

Attention is next directed to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings wherein ablade-like bracket is identified by reference numeral 28. The bracket isadapted to extend outwardly from the vertical supports and to provide asupporting function for a display shelf. The bracket may be formed witha pair of grooves at 31 and 32 which, as shown in FIG. 3, are preferablyidentical, and are formed on opposite faces of the bracket. The

grooves 31 and 32 may be of the same depth and are disposed in generallyparallel relation and may be spaced from a common edge 34 by an equaldistance. The grooves 31 and 32 are preferably just slightly larger thanthe width of the projecting flanges or shoulders and 16 shown in FIG. 1in order to provide a freely slidable relationship between the supportbracket and the upright support. The supporting face of the verticalsupport member 20, like the support member 11, may be formed with a pairof shoulders or opposed flanges which define the slot or groove in thevertical member. The shoulders 15 and 16 may be approximately one-fourthto one-eight inch in thickness and the grooves 31 and 32 of the shelfsupport bracket may be in the order of 1/64th inch larger in width toaccommodate the shoulders.

The width of the face 34 of the blade or bracket member 28 is sufficientto be received within the chamber 24 which is immediately to the rear ofthe face 21 of the vertical member 20. The sectional view of FIG. 2illustrates the support face portion of the blade 28 extending into thechamber and substantially corresponding to the size and configuration ofthe chamber with slight clearance between the support face and the wallsdefining the chamber so the shelf bracket will be capable of rather freesliding movement.

It will be desirable to provide the support bracket/- vertical supportassembly with releasable locking means to insure adjustment of thebrackets and shelves relative to the vertical supports. According to thepresent invention such locking means may conveniently take the formillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 where the shelf brackets 28 may be providedwith a transverse aperture 30. Reference numeral 36 identifies a pinwhich is tapered by the inclusion of a flat 37 on one side. The pin 36may be made of round stock but is tapered by forming the flat camsurface thereon.

In the use of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the blade orsupport bracket 28 is joined to the upright member 11 or with the faceportion of the bracket 28 being disposed within the appropriateelongated chamber. The upper support surface of the bracket will extendin generally perpendicular relation with the upright element. Thedimensions of the blade and the vertical supports will vary inaccordance with the intended use of the present invention. For example,the bracket might be in the order of one to two feet in length and thevertical face 34 of the bracket may be in the order of two to eightinches in height depending upon the strength requirements of theshelving. The vertical support member might range to full ceiling heightfor a given point of installation. Presuming that it is very long, thebracket 28 may be placed in the slot and is moved along the verticalsupport member until the bracket has been properly positioned. Once thebracket is located, the pin 36 is inserted into the opening 30 and isdriven toward the smaller end of the tapered face 37 thereby causing thecam surface 37 to react against the face 21 of the vertical support anddevelop sufficient frictional contact to pinch or wedge thereagainst,thereby securing the bracket in position against the vertical supportmember. After this has been accomplished, the bracket will no longer befree to slide relative to the vertical supports. As viewed in sectionalview of FIG. 2, it will be observed that the insertion of the pin 36pulls the bracket outwardly or in a direction away from the slot andtends to pinch the shoulders 15 and 16 disposed therebetween. Thepinching movement develops frictional contact on both surfaces of theshoulders which frictional contact is sufficient to stop slidingmovement of the blade or bracket. The brackets will thus be firmly fixedto the vertical supports until the pins 36 are subsequently moved torelease the frictional engagement.

As viewed in FIG. 1, the vertical members 11 and 20 are utilized in thesame manner for securing the blade in question. Both blades shown inFIG. 1 are attached in the same manner even though the upright supportsare of different configuration. This permits the blades to be verticallypositioned whereby a shelf to be supported on the blades can bevertically positioned as desired. The blades can be used to support ashelf, perhaps a transparent shelf, a closed box, book cabinet, loudspeaker, or any of numerous other devices to be supported for display orstorage purposes.

Attention is next directed to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings whichdepicts an alternative embodiment for fixing the shelf support bracketswith respect to vertical support elements. In FIG. 4, the number 20again indicates the vertical support while reference numeral 28identifies the blade or bracket. An aperture 29 may be formed in theblade or bracket in generally transverse relation to the slot in thevertical support. As shown in FIG. 5, an eccentric bolt mechanism may beprovided at 40 which may include a pair of cam heads 41 and 41a, thehead 41 having a slot formed therein to receive a screw driver or othersuitable implement. The heads 41 and 41a may be disposed in eccentricrelation with a shaft portion 42 that is rotatably received within theaperture 29 of bracket 28. The two heads may join to the shaft 42 byintegral fabrication or by separate fabrication and ultrasonic weldingor epoxy resin binders. The entire eccentric mechanism may take anyother suitable form achieving eccentric camming actuation of elementsfor the purpose of establishing frictional engagement between camelements and the vertical supports of a display shelf assembly.

The blade may be inserted into the vertical support member 20 with theeccentric cam heads rotated away from the front face of the verticalsupport 20. The cam heads then may be rotated by screw drivermanipulation to position the eccentric sides away from the verticalsupport 20. When the blade 28 is at the desired vertical position withrespect to the support 20, the screw driver may be inserted into theslot in cam head 41 and rotated, thereby bringing the eccentric headscarried on the bolt mechanism 40 into contact with the vertical memberthereby wedging the bolt against the face of the vertical support anddrawing the blade toward the bolt mechanism. This achieves sufficientfrictional engagement between the eccentric heads and the verticalsupport to frictionally secure the support bracket against movementrelative to the vertical support 20. Once frictional engagement has beenachieved, it can be released by using a screw driver to rotate theeccentric bolt mechanism 40 in such direction that the cam heads moveout of frictional engagement with the vertical support.

Attention is next directed to FIGS. 6 and 7 which show furtheralternative embodiments. In FIG. 6, the blade, indicated by the numeral128, is similar in most respects to the blade 28 shown in FIG. 4, exceptthat the aperture is omitted and a downwardly extending tab 129 isattached to or formed integrally with the blade. The tab 129 extendsfrom the lower portion of the blade 128 and is received within thechamber behind the opposed flanges or shoulders defining the elongatedslot in the vertical support member 20. The projecting tab 129 may beprovided with a threaded opening that is exposed thorugh the slot. Thetapped opening may be exposed for receiving a threaded locking membertherein.

The numberal 130 identifies a bolt or other suitable locking elementthat may be threaded into the projecting tab 129. A flat washer 131 maybe placed beneath the head of the locking element to spread the loadingon the opposed shoulders. The bolt may be tightened to develop a forceof sufficient magnitude to develop a pinching or friction inducingaction between the head of the bolt and the tab 129 attached to thelower portions of the projecting blade or bracket 128. The frictioninducing action is perhaps better shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7.The bolt 130 causes the washer 131 and tab 129 to pinch the shoulders 15and 16 with sufficient force to develop sufficient frictional engagementto fix the blade in position relative to the vertical support.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 8 of the drawings which shows aslightly further modified version from that shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 8,the blade is indicated by the numeral 228 and has a projecting tab 229.The tab is somewhat thicker than the tab 129 shown in FIG. 6 and it maybe tapped with a threaded opening to receive a bolt 230. The bolt 230may extend through the tab 229 and may bear against the back wall of therecess or chamber 24 (see FIG. 1). The bolt 230 is urged into contactwith the back wall by its threaded relation with the tab 229 thusforcing the lower portions of the blade 228 forwardly as viewed in FIG.8 thereby developing frictional engagement with the opposed shoulders orflanges defining the groove. This feature locks the blade or mountingbracket 228 in position with respect to the upright member 20 thereforepreventing subsequent movement of the bracket and holding the shelfsupport assembly in fixed position.

The embodiment of FIG. 8, as well as the other embodiments shown atFIGS. 4 and 6, are utilized in the same manner as the structure shown inFIG. I. It is believed that detailed examples of use for each is notrequired.

Attention is next directed to-FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings. In FIG. 9,an embodiment indicated at 100 utilizes an interfitting triangulargroove and bracket structures while the embodiment of FIG. 10 at 200 isyet different. In FIG. 9, the drawings reveal a bracket face ofgenerally triangular cross section which is provided on one edge of thebracket. The triangular cross section still provides a substantialamount of surface facing against and contacting the opposed shouldersand 16. The vertical member, is provided with a groove of generallytriangular corresponding cross section to accommodate the triangularface portion of the.

bracket.

The embodiment illustrated generally at 200 in FIG. 10 is useful with avertical support member such as that shown at 220. The vertical supportmember 220 is modified. The blade is shown to have an appended elongatedbead that may be of circular cross section or of elliptical crosssection as desired. The vertical support member 220 may becorrespondingly constructed to accommodate the particular crosssectional. configuration of FIG. 10. The embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10can be employed as desired in lieu of the embodiment of the verticalmembers shown in FIG. ,1.

Several significant features of the present invention should next beconsidered. The vertical support mem ber 11 can be manufactured as asingle piece, but it is considered less expensive and easier tofabricate by using a single die which extrudes one-half of thestructure. Thereafter, two halves may be joined together by means of asuitable adhesive, by ultrasonic welding or by any other suitable meansof connection to form the entirety of the structure. It can be dividedalong a center line.

The present invention should be next considered in use and operation.The vertical support may be formed in the manner mentioned above in thepreferred use and implementation of the present invention. A fullfour-sided, vertical support member may be formed as shown in FIG. 1 at11. This structure may be of square, rectangular or roundedconfiguration, depending upon the design characteristics thataredesired. The vertical support member may provide a readily useable freestanding structure and may enable the assembly of a free standingdisplay shelf unit. By way of contrast, the vertical support member 20can be exactly one-half of the apparatus shown at 11 in FIG. 1, or canbe further abreviated as shown in sectional view in FIG. 2. For aneconomy of fabrication cost, however, the vertical support member 20 maybe one-half of the support member 11, and hence, will include one-halfof the grooves or chambers indicated at 14 in FIG. 1.

The vertical support members may be positioned as desired and thehorizontallly extending support brackets may be installed by engagingthem at the end of the support members and moving them fairly free offriction along the slot. They are moved along the slot 12 with a faceportion thereof disposed within the chamber or recessed portion beneaththe slot indicated by the numerals l4 and 24. The brackets may be movedto the desired position and then may be secured in position by taperedlocking pins 36. The pins may be driven to wedge and lock the bracketsin position. Once further vertical movement of the support brackets isprevented, the shelf or other suitable structure may be placed upon thelocked support brackets. As desired, the vertical support members can belocated free standing, away from any walls, or can be attached or joinedto walls or supportive structure as desired. The apparatus pennits theinstallation of a free standing center of the room device, or a wallmounted structure. The apparatus of the present invention is readilyadapted for either purpose.

The other embodiments shown in the drawings can be utilized in theillustrated manner. The pin 36 shown in FIG. 3 can be deleted and theeccentric mechanism shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be substituted therefor.The blade may be modified in the manner shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 dependingon the circumstances of use and installation.

While many objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing writtenspecification, the scope of the invention is determined by the claimswhich are appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A display unit comprising:

vertical support means having opposed spaced shoulder means defining anelongated groove therebetween and having elongated chamber means formedtherein and being disposed behind said opposed shoulder means, saidvertical support means defining first generally planar friction surfacemeans;

support bracket means having a support portion for supporting objectsthereon, said support bracket means having a face portion of aconfiguration generally corresponding to the cross-sectionalconfiguration of said elongated groove and said elongated chamber, saidface portion of said bracket means being disposed within said elongatedchamber means and extending through said elongated groove and beingmovable along said groove and chamber, said face portion defining secondgenerally planar friction surface means, said support bracket meanshaving a transverse latch aperture formed therein, at least a portion ofsaid aperture intersecting the plane of said first friction surfacemeans; and

latch pin means being disposed within said transverse aperture of saidbracket means and having cam surface means defined thereon, said latchpin means being movable relative to said bracket means between a lockedposition where said cam surface means engages said vertical supportmeans and urges said first and second friction surface means intofriction locked engagement and a released position where said camsurface means is retracted to a position releasing said frictionalengagement between said first and second friction surfaces.

2. A display unit as recited in claim 1, wherein: said support bracketmeans has a latch aperture formed therein; and

said latch means comprises an elongated pin element having a generallyplanar cam surface formed thereon and being disposed in angular relationto the longitudinal axis of said pin, said cam surface being disposed inengagement with said first friction surface of said vertical supportmeans. 3. A display unit as recited in claim 1, wherein: said latchaperture being formed in substantially normal relation to said supportbracket means; and said latch means comprises an elongated frictionlatching pinbeing rotatably received within said latch aperture, saidelongated pin having rotary cam surface means formed thereon and beingdisposed in eccentric relation to said pin, said cam surface means, uponrotation of said pin being movable into or away from camming engagementwith said first friction surface of said verticle support means.

4. A display unit as recited in claim 3, wherein:

said cam surface means comprises circular elements disposed at eachextremity of said pin in eccentric relation to the axis of said pin. I

5. A display unit as recited in claim 4, wherein:

one of said circular elements having drive means formed thereon andbeing engaged by a drive element to achieve rotation of said pin.

6. A display unit as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said face portion of said bracket means has opposed elongated guidegrooves formed therein defining third friction surface means, saidopposed grooves receiving said opposed shoulders of said verticlesupport element and said third friction surface means engaging saidsecond friction surface means.

7. A display unit as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said support element has a plurality of grooves and chambers extendingalong the length thereof and receiving a plurality of said bracket meansin locking relation therewith.

8. A display unit as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said support member includes a back wall and facing side walls definingsaid chamber and said bracket supports the facing portion thereof withinsaid chamber short of contact with said back wall and said side walls ofsaid chamber.

1. A display unit comprising: vertical support means having opposedspaced shoulder means defining an elongated groove therebetween andhaving elongated chamber means formed therein and being disposed behindsaid opposed shoulder means, said vertical support means defining firstgenerally planar friction surface means; support bracket means having asupport portion for supporting objects thereon, said support bracketmeans having a face portion of a configuration generally correspondingto the cross-sectional configuration of said elongated groove and saidelongated chamber, said face portion of said bracket means beingdisposed within said elongated chamber means and extending through saidelongated groove and being movable along said groove and chamber, saidface portion defining second generally planar friction surface means,said support bracket means having a transverse latch aperture formedtherein, at least a portion of said aperture intersecting the plane ofsaid first friction surface means; and latch pin means being disposedwithin said transverse aperture of said bracket means and having camsurface means defined thereon, said latch pin means being movablerelative to said bracket means between a locked position where said camsurface means engages said vertical support means and urges said firstand second friction surface means into friction locked engagement and areleased position where said cam surface means is retracted to aposition releasing said frictional engagement between said first andsecond friction surfaces.
 2. A display unit as recited in claim 1,wherein: said support bracket means has a latch aperture formed therein;and said latch means comprises an elongated pin element having agenerally planar cam surface formed thereon and being disposed inangular relation to the longitudinal axis of said pin, said cam surfacebeing disposed in engagement with said first friction surface of saidvertical support means.
 3. A display unit as recited in claim 1,wherein: said latch aperture being formed in substantially normalrelation to said support bracket means; and said latch means comprisesan elongated friction latching pin being rotatably received within saidlatch aperture, said elongated pin having rotary cam surface meansformed thereon and being disposed in eccentric relation to said pin,said cam surface means, upon rotation of said pin being movable into oraway from camming engagement with said first friction surface of saidverticle support means.
 4. A display unit as recited in claim 3,wherein: said cam surface means comprises circular elements disposed ateach extremity of said pin in eccentric relation to the axis of saidpin.
 5. A display unit as recited in claim 4, wherein: one of saidcircular elements having drive means formed thereon and being engaged bya drive element to achieve rotation of said pin.
 6. A display unit asrecited in claim 1, wherein: said face portion of said bracket means hasopposed elongated guide grooves formed therein defining third frictionsurface means, said opposed grooves receiving said opposed shoulders ofsaid verticle support element and said third friction surface meansengaging said second friction surface means.
 7. A display unit asrecited in claim 1, wherein: said support element has a plurality ofgrooves and chambers extending along the length thereof and receiving aplurality of said bracket means in locking relation therewith.
 8. Adisplay unit as recited in claim 1, wherein: saId support memberincludes a back wall and facing side walls defining said chamber andsaid bracket supports the facing portion thereof within said chambershort of contact with said back wall and said side walls of saidchamber.